Pitbull Question

Question
Dear Amy, I have an 11 month old pit bull puppy that is pregnant and due, according to the 65 day rule, on April 20th. However, I have so many questions that I need answered. My question is where do I find out information for my dog so I can take care of her and her puppies. I need to know what to expect for her, what do I need to do to prepare for this and also where do I put(does he need to be kept away) the one responsible for this pregnancy (the dad, my other dog which is also a pit)? Please help me! Thank you!

Answer
Tami,

Have you taken your dog to the vet for checkups during her pregnancy? Your veterinarian should have given you some kind of information on the whelping process to help you get prepared. If you haven't taken her yet, you need to do so as soon as possible. Pregnant dogs need prenatal care the same way that pregnant women do. Even though it is late in her pregnancy, she still needs to be seen. There may be issues with her or the litter that need to be addressed.

What have you been feeding her during all this time? Pregnant and lactating bitches have special dietary needs. Pregnant bitches need a high-protein puppy diet the last six or seven weeks of pregnancy. There are also many different brands of food that make formulas for instances like these. You will see on the label "For Pregnant and Lactating Bitches". This is the type of food you should be feeding her from the beginning of pregnancy all the way up until her pups are weaned.

She should also still be getting an adequate amount of exercise. Even though she is probably getting to the point where she can't do much and rests for longer periods of times, you should still try to walk her. Labor is a long, demanding process and she will benefit from being in the best shape she can possibly be at this point.

During her pregnancy, she should not be treated with any flea repellant meds or dewormers.

Make sure that your vet will be available in the event of an emergency. If your vet says he/she will not be available, line up an alternative.

A couple of weeks before you expect her to give birth, you should set up a whelping box, and get your dog used to it. It doesn't have to be anything special. Take your dog's size into consideration when picking something out. I would say that a plastic kiddie pool would probably work okay. Whatever you decide to go with, just make sure that the sides are tall enough to keep the pups from crawling out but short enough that the bitch can get in and out easily. Line it with soft bedding that is either disposable or easily washable (like old towels, etc.)Put it in a quiet area of your home where she will feel comfortable and will not be bothered by other animals. And, yes, you should keep your male away from her and her pups.

For the last week or so of the pregnancy, you should take her temperature a couple of times a day. When her temp drops below 99, that means she is getting really close to going into labor (within 24 hours or so).

Dogs can give birth laying down, standing up, or squatting. She will probably pant a lot...and she may even throw up. That's normal. If the dog goes into labor during a time that your vet would be able to come to your home and assist you, it would be beneficial for you to call them and let them know she is in labor.

The pups will be born one at a time. Depending on their size and how many of them there are, there may only be a few minutes in between each pup or there could be up to an hour between them. If there is an unusually long period of time between pups, you should call your vet.

After each pup is born, your dog should break the amniotic sac with her teeth, clean the pup, and cut its umbilical cord. Since she is a first time mother, she may not know what to do. In that case, you will have to do it yourself. Make sure your hands are clean and use your fingers to break the sac open. Clear the mucus from the pup's nose, eyes, and mouth. Use sterile scissors to cut the cord and then sterilize the stump with iodine. While the bitch is trying to deliver a pup, keep the pups that have already been born where they cannot be rolled over or stepped on and keep them warm. During the bitch's resting periods, try to get the pups to nurse.

***These are signs you should be watching for that indicate there is a problem. If you see any of these, you should call your vet IMMEDIATELY: If you notice a dark green or bloody liquid before the dog delivers the first pup, call the vet. If there is a bloody or pus-like discharge from her vagina, call the vet. If she strains for more than an hour and doesn't deliver a pup, call the vet. If more than four hours go by between pups, call the vet. If her labor is weak and goes on for more than two hours without her delivering her first pup, call the vet.

Be prepared to hand-feed the pups. Sometimes there is not enough milk or a pup will be too weak to get in with the other pups and nurse. In this case, you have to do it yourself. It would benefit you to have some canine replacement milk formula on hand in case this happens.

You should also keep in mind that not all pups survive all of the time. It is possible that you will have one that won't make it. It isn't a fun thing to think about, but you should prepare yourself mentally for that possibility.

I can't think of anything else off the top of my head to tell you. Like I said, if you haven't been taking your dog to the vet for checkups, you really should call them. When you do, just ask them what all they feel you should know and how to prepare yourself. I'm sure they can give you a more complete list than I can.